Delhi eliminates Leprosy

January 30, 2013

India’s capital New Delhi has got rid of Leprosy as a public health problem, as the incidence rate of leprosy has declined from 4.5 cases per 10,000 of population in 2001 to 0.8 cases at present.
As per WHO guidelines, when the number of leprosy patients gets reduced to below 1 case per 10,000 populations, the disease is considered to have been eliminated as a public health problem.
Leprosy is a bacterial disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae which affects mainly the skin and nerves. It takes 2 to 5 years for the symptoms to be visible as the disease progresses slowly.

« Previous Post Next Post »